Hearing loss is extremely common, affecting around 15% of adults in the U.S., or 37.5 million people, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Despite its prevalence, although 28.8 million American adults could benefit from hearing aids, only one in five actually wear them, reports the Hearing Loss Association of America.
If you’re at risk of hearing loss or you’re not seeking treatment for your hearing loss, you should make the following New Year’s resolutions for your hearing.
Wear Hearing Protection
Whether you work in a noisy environment like Louisville International Airport in Louisville, it’s important that you wear hearing protection. Disposable foam earplugs can provide adequate protection, but custom earplugs from Certified Hearing Aid Consultants will provide maximum comfort and protection.
Turn Down the Volume
According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion young people worldwide are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. This is why it’s important to follow the 60/60 rule when listening to music or other media through earbuds or headphones: listen at no more than 60% of the device’s maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
Schedule a Hearing Test
Scheduling a hearing test is important for several reasons. First, even if you don’t have hearing loss, it will establish a baseline that your audiologist can compare future tests to in order to monitor for changes to your hearing. Second, if you do have hearing loss, detecting it as early will yield the best outcomes for treatment and help prevent side effects like feelings of loneliness, social isolation, depression, anxiety and even dementia.
Invest in Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are the gold standard treatment for most cases of hearing loss. They work by amplifying sounds to a level your ears can easily detect. Many of today’s hearing aids boast amazing features like rechargeability, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic programming and more. For more information about these New Year’s resolutions or to schedule an appointment with a hearing expert, call Certified Hearing Aid Consultants today.
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